Windows 7

[cip]

Has anyone tried the Bot software on Windows 7?

I'm looking at getting a new computer and they all want to give you Windows 7 as the operating system.

thanks
Mike

[erniek]

I'm putting together a new computer with Windows 7. So far I have the bot software running in preview mode without problems.

[courtney2018]

If it's the computer you want then get it. What I would do is buy another hard drive and put XP Pro on it. The computer will then see two operating systems on two different drives and will ask you which to go to when you first boot up.

The computer I'm using right now has XP Pro for nearly everything I do. I also have Vista 64bit for an audio program I use FLStudio which allows me to have 8GB of ram.

The extra 500GB drive, $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148410


XP Pro, $137: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

This way you can have the computer you want and won't have any problems with the Bot. Then when drivers are OK'd for Windows 7 you can flip over to using that for the bot.

Either way you still have access to the other hard drive. Example: you boot to XP Pro on the other hard drive. You can still save and use files that are on the other hard drive.

[tmerrill]

Mike,

If you get the Professional or Ultimate versions of Windows 7 it has a XP mode. Per Microsoft it will run any program exactly as XP did, and even the computer screen looks the same.

So far with Win 7 I have run all my design software as well as the ShopBot 3.6.X in preview mode. So far, it's a big step up from Vista in my opinion.

Tim

[courtney2018]

I didn't realize Win 7 did that. As long as it really does that then I guess you'll be good to go.

[pappybaynes]

It was my understanding that if you have XP you need to remove all your files BEFORE you upgrade to W7...it will transfer files fine from Vista just not XP.

[rb99]

I have been using W7 on one PC since May and it is pretty reliable.

I never knew about the XP mode. Anyone know how to get that going?

RIB

[tmerrill]

Dick,

I believe you are correct about upgrading from XP to Win 7 requires a clean upgrade. From Vista to Win 7 depends on the versions.

Personally, I would keep XP in a heartbeat. But last spring I had to purchase a replacement computer on short notice and went with a preconfigured Dell with Vista Home Premium. I couldn't wait to get away from Vista. I went from Vista Home Premium to Win 7 Ultimate as soon as I could. The upgrade took about 2 hours and went smooth. I ran the upgrade advisor prior to doing it and it told me of only one program I needed to uninstall first, then I could reinstall it after the upgrade. So far, so good.

Tim

[rb99]

I hope they get a Divx 7 driver for it though.

It won't play some movies...

[billp]

Have any of you now using Windows 7 found that you get a lengthy "file updating" process when you try to shut down your machines? I ask because a friend just got an HP desktop (with 7 pre installed) last week and when she went to shut down the machine it said it was going to update a bunch of files. Last I heard from her it was still updating files after 5 hours...! I'm wondering if maybe Microsoft had shipped "early" versions of the software to some PC manufacturers, and now that the public has probably found some zits, boogers, and glitches they are making the corrections on the fly (?)

[tmerrill]

Bill,

With Microsoft, anything is possible. After upgrading my computer, there were 18 "Important" upgrades to be installed. But, I'm not sure how long it took as I let it happen through the night. Since then, I have used both Sleep and Shutdown and haven't seen what you describe.

Coming out of sleep mode rapidly was one of the advertised new improvements, and it is fast. I do like it.

Tim

[billp]

Tim, Thanks for the feedback. The "wild card"in this situation is that my friend is a killer of machinery...She toasts hard drives the week after the warranty runs out, so this time I have convinced her to get the extended warranty as I have always found that my machines KNOW that they are covered by a warranty and they keep running until they sense their warranty is over with. The trick here might be to just use an older computer to order the warranty so the unit in use never really KNOWS when it's warranty is up...!

[tmerrill]

Richard,

To get into XP mode do the following:

Right click on the file name and select Properties

Select the Compatibility Tab

Check the box for running the program in compatibility mode for XP SP2 or SP3 (other options are available).

Tim

PS I'm watching the DIVX demo movies from their website. Not sure if that helps you with that issue.

[cip]

Thanks everyone, that XP mode thing is great.

Mike

[rb99]

I don't have the compatibility tab...

If you are watching the DIVX movies then you are running the viewer...

RIB

[jerry_stanek]

Vista has the compatibility mode but that doesn't always work.

[adrianm]

There is another level of XP compatability with Windows 7 that requires a download from MS.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Virtual PC has been out for a long time so I'm not sure what the difference is with the Windows 7 version.

[jerry_stanek]

You can only run virtual pc if your processor is compatible. My core 2 duo is not so I can't run it.

[jshoes51]

I need to upgrade my old computer now too. I'm looking at the HP G70 or G71 series laptop with a full sized number keypad on the keyboard. Now that all the machines come with 7, I can't find a G71 with a 32 bit operating system on HP's web site.

I've been told that my old software won't run on a 64 bit system. I have a Peachtree accounting program that I've used since the early 90's, a FormTool program, Home Architect and an old version of Turbocad to go along with Aspire and Partworks. Will I need to replace all my old programs which I know and are good for what I do with them if I get a 64 bit system?

[jerry_stanek]

You could split your c partition and put a 32 bit version on it and load your old software to that version. Then you can create a short cut in windows 7 64 bit and start the programs though it. I do this with Vista 64 and Vista 32 as Partwizard will not run on a 64 bit OS.

[tmerrill]

Jim,

Read my post above, 4th from the top. If you go to the Microsoft Windows 7 website, do a search for XP mode, and read about it for yourself. You can also do a Google search for Windows 7 XP Mode (or something similar) and get some third party facts and opinions.

If the computers you are looking at come with the Home version of Win 7, you can bargain for the upgrade, or upgrade yourself for ~$140
(http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Windows+7+Home+Premium+to+Ultimate+Upgrade+-+Windows/9493167.p?id=1218113926744&skuId=9493167 (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Windows+7+Home+Premium+to+Ultimate+Upgrade+-+Windows/9493167.p?id=1218113926744&skuId=9493167)).

But try running them in native Win 7 mode first, you might be surprised. I don't think running the software is as much as a problem as finding drivers.

Tim

[ironsides]

Allmost all new computers are sold with 64bit win 7.0.
Will sb3 run on the 64bit OS?

George

[jerry_stanek]

I just upgraded to windows 7 home premium and installed vmware to run XP for my scanner. I works very well ab Vista and Windows 7 do not support twain and my scanner is twain compliant.